Local Mt Hood Entertainment Hot Spots

All around the Mt Hood area, there are cool places to go, bands to check out, and local entertainment - you just have to know where to look. Head in to the wrong place and you could end up with a room full of eyes - all on you! But some places are just cool in general, some more trendy than others, but most have the good old mountain feel to 'em.

Here are just a few, some I'be been to, others I've only heard the stories, but wherever you go, just be sure to drive safely. We locals have to share the road with some pretty out of control people, and many have paid the price. So whether you're a local or a fun and friendly visitor - have a designated driver. But on again to the fun, check out some of these favorite local Mt Hood hang-outs, and let's hear your comments on the places you most like to go on the mountain!

Charlie's Mountain View Restaurant and Bar is one of Government Camp's local entertainment hubs. While it's definitely a great place to go anytime of year, the summer months are definitely filled with some awesome local entertainers. Their website has a calendar that shows which musical artists are scheduled, but you never know what spontaneous thing may happen over at Charlie's! (Check out the webcam on their site, too!)

Mt Hood Roasters Restaurant has some fun weekend entertainment as well, with loca favorites like Bob Voll, (who we locals also know as the UPS guy!) Check out their Events Calendar for more of their scheduled events. When the weather is nice, you can sit on the patio and watch live bands play, while you sip a cold beer next to the warm table heaters! The original owners still produce the awesome locally roasted coffee, which you can find online to enjoy some of that tasty brew at home! Roasters was once well known as Welches Living Room, and under the ownership - they are now branding themselves as home of the 4-egg omlet!


Hood River County Chamber of Commerce has the scoop on local entertainment in the Hood River area. I happen to live on the other side of the mountain from Hood River - so hopefully you locals out there will chime in on the comments and let us know where the fun is!

I'd love to send you to the website for the Skyway Bar & Grill in Zig Zag (just east of Welches), but they don't seem to have one. They have recently re-opened, but where once the talk of the town! I did however stumble upon this neat list of local restaurants, though! Take a look and check a few of them out. Or if you've already been to some of them, share your experience in the comments area!

High Winds Forced Timberline Lodge to Close Lifts Yesterday

It was an extremely windy day yesterday, so much so - that Timberline made the decision to close down the lift. It was a small price to pay for safety, though!

Today is a gorgeous day, very clear - but it's cold! Gear up for cold weather if you're headed up to the mountain, as the clear skies make for an extra nippy day. The wind has slowed down a bit, and Timberline has reopened the lift, which runs today from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The temperature is a chilly 24 degrees, and be prepared for snow-covered roads, there is 11" of new snow on the mountain in the past three days!

Life Goes On

There are some days that just seem to move really slow, and yet it seems only a moment has gone by. The passing of a month or two - in reality, just zips past us at times. But that's no excuse, it's been about two months since I last posted. The weather was great, life changed a little, and I logged on - only to realize that it had been September since the last post.

Since the weather was good, I recently realized I should have taken a few pictures while I could. But that has all changed with the recent clouds and rain. So I share with you a picture taken over the summer, which was taken from Multnomah Falls - looking north-east from the trail up to the bridge.

Multnomah Falls is accessible from Hwy 30 off I-84 between Portland and Hood River. There are several beautiful waterfalls to see, and although I have many waterfall pictures, I thought it would be nice to see the view opposite the waterfall. You can just make out the Columbia River that separates Oregon and Washington. The hills in the background of the picture are in Washington.

What is Your Favorite Mt Hood Spot?

Of all the great places around Mt Hood that there are to visit, most locals or frequent visitors have their favorite place to relax, enjoy the views, take pictures, or just soak in some of the pristine waters near the mountain. It's hard for me to pinpoint my abosulte favorite place, between the Hood River Valley spread out over miles of orchards and vinyards with the majestic mountain backdrop, and the dense semi-rain forests of the south-west flanks of Wy-east. I love sitting on the shores of the serene lakeside at Trillium, and wandering along the Zig Zag and Sandy rivers.

Perhaps one my favorite would be the beautiful views along Lolo Pass, just beyond the old Barlow Trail road, with so many gorgeous low-lying mountain tops visible from the windy road, Mt Hood standing it all its glory, rising above the thickly treed foothills. So, what's your favorite place among the vast expanse of the Mt Hood area?

How the Village of Zig Zag Got the Name

The early pioneers of the Oregon Trail named many of the places we know today. The land around Mt. Hood was known only to the Native Americans, and until then, had no official names. The area was largely untraveled, and as the early immigrants passed through, giving way to some of the well known areas we call home in the beautiful Mt. Hood Corridor.

The Zig Zag river, which was runs along part of the Barlow Road route. As they followed the river along part of the trail, they were increasingly frustrated by all of the "zigs and zags" as the winding river took them back and forth through the thick forest. They coined the river's name as Zig Zag, and through the years the name seemed to stick. The town later adopted the name, and is now home to one of the best pizza on the mountain, found at the Zig Zag Inn. There is also a Subway sandwhich shop, a few local businesses, and a soon-to-be-open Zig Zag Mountain Store, which was a local favorite for years before a temporary closure. Don't forget to take the beautiful Lolo Pass for some magnificent photo ops along the west side of Mt. Hood.

Mt Hood Railroad Still in Recovery

Last week, we rode the Mt. Hood Railroad, but were disappointed to find that last year's storm washed the ground out from under the tracks between Odell and Parkdale. Their website doesn't reflect the fact that you can't ride the excursion train to Parkdale, but if you take a trip out to their depot in Hood River, you can find some interesting facts about the damage that the track sustained.

Even though the trip was cut short, the day was beautiful, and the views were gorgeous. There was a 1/2 hour stop in Odell, which is a small community nestled in the Hood River Valley. Most of the people on the train enjoyed ice cream at the local espresso shop, and took a break from the heat by relaxing in their "living room" style atmosphere, complete with couches, and two computers with high-speed internet.

There is one gas station, a grocery store, and a few other small shops in Odell. Along the way, the train picked up two cars of lumber and brought them back to Hood River, as we made our way back towards the Columbia River to the depot. It was a wonderful trip, highly recommended for those who wish to see parts of the valley that you can only view from the train. They are also working on getting the steam engine up and running, an extra special treat for train enthusiasts.

Mt Hood Highway 26 Scenic Byway

If you want to take a great day trip, the Mt Hood Scenic Byway is a beautiful drive, and just a few hours to make the trip around. Just head east on Hwy 26 from Gresham, and on out to Mt Hood you go! Slow down in Sandy, the speed limit is 25 mph - and they're strict about it around there. Once you pass Sandy, you'll be on your way, through the areas of Brightwood, Welches, Rhododendron, and then Government Camp.

On your way past Government Camp, you'll see a turn on the right hand side for Trillium Lake, which is about two miles from the highway. It's a beautiful place, and worth seeing if you've got the time. (Right - Picture we took last summer with a relatively cheap digital camera.) Head back out, turning right onto the highway from the road to Trillium Lake, and continue east towards Highway 35, where you will catch it heading north.

This is a great drive on a clear day, because on the way to this point, you see the southwest side of the mountain, and once you are on Hwy 35 you can see the east and north sides of the majestic mounain, especially if you head towards Lost Lake (west from Hwy 35). If you take this route, it's got some pretty steep uphill driving, so make sure your car is in good condition for the drive. Otherwise, stay on Hwy 35 heading north and take in the beauty of the fruit tree orchards along the way to Hood River.

From Hood River, you would take Hwy 84 west towards Portland. This is another very scenic part of the journey around Mt Hood. You can visit many places along this stretch of the Columbia Gorge, such Cascade Locks, the bridge of the gods, Multnomah Falls (which is the largest of a series of waterfalls in this area. Taking Bypass 30 west will take you through an area where you can park and view each one. Both Hwy 30 and Hwy 84 will take you west, and you can then travel through Troutdale, and either continue on back to Portland area on Hwy 84 towards downtown, or exit 238th/Hogan Drive from Hwy 84, then travel south to Hwy 26, and go either left or right on Burnside. Left will take you back towards the mountain, right will take you through Gresham towards downtown Portland. Have fun, and be safe!

Roads Closed and Bridges Washed Out on Mt Hood Backroads

In an earlier post, I described some troubles we had on a recent trip around Mt Hood. Had I done a little preliminary research, I would have found out that some of the roads are obstructed, bridges are washed out, and passages are blocked by downed trees.

However, like so many people who know the backroads of the mountain pretty well, we were flying by the seat of our pants. We figured that if we used common sense, and turned back if and when necessary, it wouldn't matter much if we had to change courses. Sure it took a little more time (and gas), but it was a beautiful trip.

But for those of you who use the other kind of common sense, here's a report about what to look for around the Mt. Hood National Forest.

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What a Trip! Fun From Mt Hood to Portland and Back Again

As we found out the hard way! The radio news said that all roads to the lakes from the Columbia River to Bend area were open, but we found out differently as we tried to take a short day trip. The weather was great, so we thought it would be fun to take a trip from Mt. Hood area (home) to Portland. Our first stop was the Portland Saturday Market, where we ate, shopped, then sat back and enjoyed a blues band. then to the Columbia Gorge and Hood River, through the orchards and forest to Lost Lake, back down to Lolo Pass, then through the pass to Zig Zag, Oregon. When you live in the area, the mountain's flanks and foothills naturally becomes part of your backyard. This trip should have been easy and quick, but we ran into a few snags.

From the time we left the Portland Saturday Market, (take 84/30 east toward The Dalles from Portland) we followed the Columbia River via Hwy 84 east, (you can also take the smaller, more scenic Hwy 30 which follows the same route in order to visit the beautiful waterfalls, but that was not our mission for the day.)

We took the first exit in Hood River from Hwy 84, and went through the beautiful downtown area of Hood River, then onto Hwy 35, then exit west and pass through Odell and Dee, where we were followed by the Sheriff for about 10 miles through various sudden speed limit changes. We eventually found our way out to Lost Lake Rd. and followed it up towards Lost Lake. However, while we were on the last 6-mile stretch uphill, we found snow. I couldn't tell you how close we actually got to the lake, there was another car parked there and no people in sight. We chose to turn around and go back to Lolo Pass.

We took Lolo Pass, knowing it came out on the west side of Mt Hood, just a few miles from home. Lolo Pass offered some great scenery, there were a few trees down, but the big logs had been cut to open the road. We saw a sign letting us know that Hwy 26 was now just 17 miles away from us - great! We're almost home! Not so much...

About 15 miles from Hwy 26 on Lolo Pass, we came across two huge piles of rubble and trees (seemingly intentional) blocking the road. Yeah, by then we were bummed out. We even got out of the car to stare at the untouchable road on the other side of the monsterous blockage. Once again feeling elated, we followed our own dirt trails and headed back down to Dee and Parkdale. We even saw our friendly Sheriff again as we passed through an intersection. We headed out to Hwy 35 again, travelled south towards Government Camp to Hwy 26 west, and went back home. I did happen to notice that the road to Trillium Lake was closed as well, which was part of our original unrevised plan.

What a day - beautiful and sunny, high gas prices, closed roads, and gorgeous views. Typical of the end of April in the Mt. Hood area. Our digital camera wasn't cooperating much after the Saturday Market, so we were only able to snap a few awkward shots of the mountain and orchards with the camera-phone. So much for beautiful pictures of the lakes. Next time I'll remember to bring snow-worthy shoes, just in case.

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April Festivals, Events, and Things to Do

Aside from the abundance of awesome things to do outside in this beautiful mountain area like hiking, biking, walking, fishing, and photography, there are quite a few main events you can check out as well. This month, there is no shortage of festivals, events, and even auctions. Take a look at some of the places you can go to have fun this month:

• MHCC 16th Annual Gala Dinner & Silent Wine Auction
  Where: Gresham
  Phone: 541-231-8285
  When: April 28
• Hood River First Friday Art Walk
  Where: Hood River OR
  Phone: 541-490-0022
  When: April - December 2007
• Hood River Valley Blossom Festival
  Where: Hood River OR
  Website: www.hoodriver.org
  Phone: 800-366-3530
  When: April 21 - 22
  Description: Celebrate the arrival of spring in Oregon's most beautiful valley -- feasts, craft & quilt shows, orchard & winery tours, & 15,000 acres of blossoming fruit trees await you!
• Big Boy Toy Expo
  Where: Oregon Convention Center Portland OR
  Phone: 503-846-1742 Website: http://www.bigboytoyexpo.com/
  Email: mtgplanneror@aol.com
  When: April 28 - 29
  Description: The Big Boy Toy Expo is like no other "Man Show", showcasing the Oregon State Championship Poker Tournament and all types of men related exhibitors.
• Amazon Voyage: Vicious Fishes & Other Riches
  Where: Portland
  Phone: 503-797-4000
  When: Ongoing From February 3 - May 6
  Description: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. This exhibit takes visitors to seven ports of call along the most biologically diverse river in the world, the Amazon.
• Portland Saturday Market
  Where: Under the Burnside Bridge, Portland OR
  Phone: 503-222-6072
  When: Ongoing From March 3 - December 24 Every Saturday, 10-5, and Sunday, 11-4:30 rain or shine.
  Website: http://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/
  Description: Supporting artists since 1974. In historic Old Town at the Skidmore Fountain MAX station

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Weather Alert and Snow Advisory for Portland Oregon

There has been a snow advisory for the Northwest, mostly in the Cascades, but even the West Hills area of Portland is experiencing quite a bit of snow. Freezing levels are down as low as the 500-ft level, but residents on the valley floor are even seeing the snow fall. Some schools in the area are switching to snow routes for the busses, and others have already reported to be closed. Check the local news channels, there should be a marquee on the bottom showing which schools are two hours late, and which have already closed.

As the storm moves through the Cascades, the Columbia Gorge and the Dalles will getting their fair share of snow as well. Here in the area east of Sandy, The Mt. Hood Corridor - including Brightwood, Welches, Zig Zag, and Rhododendron will see some snow on the road, and it could be icy if you're driving to work this morning. As for the conditions on the mountain, there should be a lot of fresh powder to play in by this weekend. Get your skis out of the closet, pack up the snowboard, and head on out to Mt. Hood to enjoy this February fun. For the latest conditions up on the mountain, the Timberline Lodge website has updated conditions.

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An End to the Beautiful Sunny Skies

Well after a week or so of beautifully blue skies, we are again getting the rain that the Pacific Northwest is known for. For some, it's a relief, there are some strange people like me that love the rain. But it does cause some issues, such as the dog and kids dragging mud through the house, and slippery streets and highways. However, this is a great opportunity to get some great time on the slopes on Mt. Hood, because the snow levels have already dropped as far as Government Camp. Don't forget to check the weather before you go, Highway 26 can get a little icy, so check out the road conditions as well. All in all, there should be great skiing and snowboarding this weekend, with all the rain that's coming down over the Portland area, and the storm continuing on into the weekend, there's bound to be a thick white layer of fresh powder by Saturday. Just im time for a great weekend getaway!

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Tips for Planning Your Winter Weekend Getaway

If there's one thing all the locals know, it's the patterns of tourists, skiers, snowboarders, and outdoor enthusiasts that frequent the area. We know when the traffic will get heavier, we know what types of trouble travelers end up in, and the common mistakes that they make - because we've seen it all before. Now it's time to share the knowledge!

First thing, and most common, is that many people drive too far to be able to get their snow-parks passes and fishing licenses, and then find themselves having to drive back down the mountain to get them, wasting valuable fishing, hiking, and snow time. Although you can get them many places throughout the mountain area, high traffic weekends can cause many local vendors to run out. If you know you need one before you leave, stop at the first place you see that has them advertised. You can buy a snow-park pass at Hoodland Thriftway, but the fishing licenses are sold at the local fly fishing shop just west of the grocery store. However, your best bet is to buy them in Sandy, because if for any reason there is a shortage of passes up on the mountain, you certainly don't want to have make a 15 mile trip back to Sandy from Welches. If you make it all the way to Government Camp without your passes, and if you can't find one up there, you'll be forced to drive nearly 30 miles back to town.

Fred Meyers is the last stop for guaranteed clothing, although there are a few stops along the way that may have a few t-shirts and sweatshirts on sale as souveniers. Although there is also the occasional deal on pajama bottoms, throws, and jackets for sale outside of Hoodland Thriftway, but don't forget your underwear or shoes - because you just won't find those on the mountain. The thing is, Sandy is considered the gateway to Mt. Hood, and for good reason. It's not that you can't get to the mountain using other routes, or that Sandy is trying to promote itself as a city, it really is the last stop before you get out into the national forest areas, and there just isn't much in the way of shopping on the mountain. Let's face it, most people don't go up to Mt. Hood to shop.

Getting a place to call home for the weekend can present a whole new challenge on busy weekends. Many places are booked up in advance, but even if you plan to stay in one of the resorts, you will end up paying a pretty penny for your stay. If you're skiing or snowboarding, you might be able to find a few packaged deals, such as your room and lift tickets combined into one good price. But if you have other plans, and aren't going to use the lifts, you may wish to cut costs, and to add to the experience of staying up in the mountain area by renting a cabin for the weekend, or even sharing one with other travelers to save money. Many of them are beautifully furnished to sleep six to ten people comfortably, separate rooms, and a large number of them feature jacuzzis or hot tubs for those who love to snuggle up on those cold winter nights. Most of them are about $99 a night, but that's a steal compared to some of the prices to stay in the resorts or the typical hotel-type visit. For some really great deals on cabins last minute, check the vacation rentals on Craigslist or Mt. Hood Info.

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The Mysterious Waterfalls of Lolo Pass

Last summer, while on a quick drive up Lolo Pass from Hwy 26, my husband said "Stop right here...", where we got out of and stared into the distance at the densly forrested moutains, with the majestic Mt. Hood towering over us. At first I just thought he liked that particular view, the Zig Zag mountain area is beautiful, but then he spoke. "If we really look, we can see the waterfalls." Well after about 15 minutes of really looking, we gave up, and went on with our drive. "They really are there," he said, "I've seen them."

Well it's winter now, and Lolo Pass is closed most of the way, so I did a Google search on Lolo Pass and the Highway 26, generally for something interesting to read about other people's experiences with the area, and found that my husband was not the only person who had seen the mysterious waterfalls, but one man spent 20 years trying to discover the ghost-like falls, which are known as "Apparition Falls". The theory behind the mystery is that one can only see the waterfalls in a certain light. The day we went, it was very bright and beautiful, with the sun high above us.

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Current Ski Conditions on Mt. Hood

With several feet of new snow over the past month, and new snow falling just about every day lately, ski conditions are awesome right now, and the slopes are calling your name in the wind. So right about now, you should be looking for current ski conditions for Mt. Hood, right? And just to help you plan your ski trip with ease, here are the local weather reports from some of the ski resorts up on Mt. Hood. Feel free to bookmark this post for up-to-date ski reports! Check out the current traffic reports for Highway 26 from Portland to Government Camp (the small town at the base of Mt. Hood,) and Highway 35 from Hood River. Knowing what the conditions are before you leave home can help you prepare for a fun and safe trip! Enjoy!

Timberline Lodge -- Mt. Hood Meadows -- Mt. Hood Skibowl

TripCheck
(Road and Weather Conditions Statewide)

Oregon State Website - ODOT

(Highway Conditions Statewide)

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Time to Get Out the Ski and Snowboard Gear!

Ready for skiing or snowboarding? Waiting for snowparks to open? Okay, so I'm still going to keep my favorite camping spots sacred, my precious hiking spots will remain my personal safe haven, and my best fishing holes will stay a highly guarded secret. But I'm going to let the cat out of the bag on the winter sports spots - if you're not familiar with the Mt. Hood area, you've got to come up and enjoy the powder stash we've got going on up here.

With the longest ski seasons in the contiguous states, the largest night skiing areas, Oregon is the place to come experience the best kept secrets of the Northwest. So get ready to gear up and send some rooster tails flying, because winter is fast approaching, and you want to be sure you're ready. Check out ski conditions, opening dates, and road and weather conditions for your favorite snowparks, all in the vicinity of Mt. Hood: Timberline, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl (West & East), Mt. Hood Meadows, and Copper Spur.

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Travel Tour for a Rainy Day

Wondering what sites can be seen, even on a rainy day? We seem to have a lot of those in the western half of our beautiful green state, but with low lying clouds and limited visibility, most travelers are stuck for what to do on a day like this. Granted, this is not prime travel time, but there are still some very beautfiul areas worth visiting - even in the rain. But water falling from the sky can make some sites even more beautiful - and here's a rainy day suggestion that even your mother could appreciate.

Take the I-84 East toward the Dalles, you can connect to the I-84 either from the I-5 or the I-205 north to Seattle. Once on the I-84, you will pass through Troutdale, where some travellers enjoy stopping at the Outlet mall to buy discounted brand name items. Once past Troutdale, you will enter into the Columbia River Gorge area, rich with history and breathtaking views. On the right, you can take the Crown Point exit and head up the hill to the view point to take in the magnificent river that serves as a border and divides the states of Oregon and Washington. Whether you take the opportunity to see Crown Point, or pass, it can be seen from the highway as well.

From I-84, exit onto the historic scenic highway 30 east. Follow the road through lush forest along side of the river, passing over beautiful moss covered bridges on the way. Soon you will arrive at the beginning of a string of waterfalls, including the famous Multnomah Falls, the most visited and photographed waterfall in Oregon. Take time to get out of the car at each stop, it's well worth the view from the bottom - of the waterfall that is! There are several hikes, the most noteworthy is up to the beautiful concrete bridge that sets halfway up Multnomah falls with just a 1/4 mile hike up a well maintained paved trail. For the more adventerous tourist, you can make the remaining trip up to the top of Multnomah falls in about 20 minutes. For the return trip, continue east on highway 30 towards the Dalles, reconnecting with the I-84 west towards Portland.

For an extended day trip (round trip approximately 120 miles), you can continue on the I-84 east towards the Dalles, stopping in Hood River to enjoy lunch overlooking the Columbia River. Hood River is considered to be the windsurfing capital of the world, and is nestled in the hillside along the gorge. Once through Hood River, take highway 35 south through the orchards, vineyards, and farmland surrounding the northeast side of Mt. Hood. You would now be on the drier side of the Cascade mountain range, and possibly get to see a great view of the mountain on your travels. Connect with highway 26 heading west, where you will pass through Government Camp - where you can enjoy the splendor and beauty of historic Timberline Lodge on the base of Mt. Hood. Continuing on highway 26 will take you along the old Barlow Trail route, a portion of the Oregon Trail. You will pass through the Villages at Mt. Hood, which includes the small villages of Rhododendron, Zig Zag, Welches, and several other tiny communities, which would pretty much put you in my stomping grounds! Highway 26 will lead directly through Sandy to Gresham, where you can follow signs back to the I-84 to Portland.

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Mean Creek Gas Station

My daughter, being on the verge of her teen years, decided that we "must" watch the movie Mean Creek. After spoiling the plot for me, I was not sure I wanted to sit through the movie, but I was so glad that I did. I was completely enthralled with the scenery, and the familiarity with so many of the film locations. I hadn't quite noticed how recognizable certain trees and river bends could be. What brought it to my attention was that in the first few minutes of the movie she asked if the mountain in the background was Mt. Hood. We backed up the movie and sure enough, not only was it the great Wy'East of the land in these parts, but it was our specific view of the mountain from the south-west. I still wasn't entirely convinced that they were in our stomping grounds until I saw the gas station in Estacada, where I have been nearly every time we drive out that direction. Okay, so not to say I didn't enjoy the plot of the movie with her, I think we just enjoyed two very different aspects of what we were seeing before us. I actually enjoyed what Mean Creek was about, and I won't spoil the plot for others, but it has a great life lesson for teens.

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Last of the Season Hiking and Mountain Biking

Just a few weeks left until it will be too cold, wet, or snowy to hike or bike out in the rugged terrain of the Mt. Hood forest. But today is gorgeous, and it seemed like a perfect indication that a last minute reminder may give a few die-hards out there the opportunity to try out a new trail!

This trail is about an 8 mile loop trail with an elevation gain of just under 1700 ft. Moderately difficult, with moderate trail conditions through old growth, ferns, and berry bushes into the timberline zone where the vegetation thins drastically. The top ridge is the crossroads of the Burnt Lake Trail and the Zig Zag Mt. Trail with a gorgeous view of Mt. Hood from nearly 700 ft above Burnt Lake. It's still another 200 ft. to the summit where you can view the Cascades mountain tops in all their glory. Follow the trail contuing to the west, down the ridge to meet up with Cast Creek Trail, taking the south path following Zig Zag Mt. Trail until it again meets the Burnt Lake Trail. Another (slightly shorter and more direct) route would be too take the Devil's Tie Trail from the Zig Zag Mt. Trail, which will reconnect with the Burnt Lake Trail, but you miss the simmit views. The hike ends with a nice cool-down walk back to the trailhead. You can get directions and more detailed information by visiting this website.

The Beautiful Four Seasons

Summer has passed, and though many days are bright and sunny, they often have the crisp coolness foretelling the winters near arrival. A few episodes of rain prepare us for what's to come, though they were much needed to help extinguish the recent forest fires. Streets are lined with rich shades of emerald, pumpkin, and crimson, backed by the deep blue autumn sky. Speckles of flowers show themselves between the ferns and grasses as the remnants of summer fade.